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National Rifle Association backs Hanna for Congress in GOP primary with Tenney

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State Assemblywoman Claudia Tenney, left, and U.S. Rep. Richard Hanna, R-Barneveld, both asked for the NRA endorsement in their June 24 Republican primary in the 22nd Congressional District. The nation's largest gun rights organization today decided to back Hanna, the two-term congressman from Oneida County.

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The National Rifle Association today endorsed U.S. Rep. Richard Hanna over Assemblywoman Claudia Tenney in their Republican primary for Congress, citing Hanna's strong support for gun rights and the Second Amendment.

Both candidates sought the NRA endorsement, a significant development in a race where Tenney accused Hanna of being weak on his support for gun rights and opposition to the New York SAFE Act.

The NRA is the nation's largest gun rights organization with about five million members, and a powerful lobbying organization that wields significant influence on Capitol Hill.

Tenney, R-New Hartford, a conservative who has received Tea Party support, sent out campaign mailers over the past month accusing Hanna of voting against Second Amendment rights. Tenney also emphasized her own opposition to the "gun-grabbing" New York SAFE Act, which she wants to repeal.

The NRA had given both candidates its top "A" rating for "solidly pro-gun legislators," but endorsed Hanna because of his "consistent and proven voting record on Second Amendment issues" in the House of Representatives.

"Throughout your career, you have consistently opposed all attempts to ban lawfully-owned firearms and magazines, and have stood against President Obama and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg's gun control agenda," NRA director of federal affairs James J. Baker wrote in an endorsement letter to Hanna.

Hanna, R-Barneveld, has also served as a top advocate in Congress for Remington Arms, based in the 22nd District in Ilion, Herkimer County. The company has received military contracts from the Pentagon during Hanna's two terms in Congress.

Hanna said in a statement today that he was honored to receive the NRA endorsement. "Gun ownership is not only a right enshrined in our Constitution, but a way of life for many of us in Upstate New York," he said. "I will continue to work diligently at the federal level to protect our Second Amendment rights."

The 22nd Congressional District covers all of Chenango, Cortland, Madison and Oneida counties and part of Broome, Herkimer, Oswego and Tioga counties.